The nine justices of the state Supreme Court voted Thursday to have Justice Mary Fairhurst serve as chief justice for the next four years. The internal vote means that Fairhurst will take over for Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. Madsen will continue to serve as a justice on the court, pending the outcome of this week's election, in which she faces a strong challenge from Kittitas County Prosecutor Greg Zempel.

The three largest public research institutions in Washington -- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of Washington and Washington State University -- signed an agreement last week to work more closely together on pressing challenges in energy, the environment and global security. The collaboration builds on ties that are already close, from clean energy testing to transportation technologies.

The international air freight cargo market is growing, and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport wants a bigger piece of the action. The Port of Seattle's strategic plan calls for building a new 289,000-square-foot air cargo facility -- and the project could become even bigger.

Washington employers have a strong and proud history of supporting their employees who are service members or veterans. AWB President Kris Johnson would like to hear how you are recognizing Veterans Day this year.

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Two of Puget Sound's biggest aerospace companies are working hard to cut emissions as part of the regional efforts to combat climate change, a new report says.

Boeing Co. and Alaska Air Group each adopted a series of small but important measures that can make a difference, according to a new Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce report.

Entitled "Bright Green in an Emerald City," the report lists dozens of examples of emission-reduction efforts at companies, a university and some non-profits.

Boeing and Alaska Airlines are praised for developing shorter, more precise routes for incoming aircraft traffic flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport... Every Sea-Tac flight using such approaches conserves an average of 87 gallons of fuel, and saves passengers nine minutes of flying, the Seattle Chamber's report said.

Greenhouse gas emissions reduced with each of these flights equals to what a small car would use, driving all the way from Seattle to Minneapolis, the report added.

Washington state employers are proven leaders and innovators in energy conservation, carbon reduction and environmental efforts.

The record proves this is already taking place without a carbon tax, but rather through innovation and collaboration.

Washington's population has increased 43 percent since 1990 and the economy has grown 260 percent, yet carbon emissions are down 18 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

From small operations to large steel mills, companies have built sustainability and environmental stewardship into their operations, not as an afterthought.

Despite this solid environmental record, voters will be faced with a choice to raise the cost of energy -- the engine that keeps Washingtonians moving and warm -- through Initiative 732. It would put in place a carbon tax under the guise of doing what employers and residents are already doing -- lowering carbon emissions. But, it is not without risk to the economy, K-12 education and our low- and fixed-income neighbors...